Musical instrument



y 1938 A. P. FREEMAN 2,122,396

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed D60. 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l 52 52 1 2 23 4/ INVENTOR. 4' 54 A/vro/vv P .FkEEMA/v a, P. 53 BY mmnw fi ATTORNEY.

July 5, 1938 A. P. FREEMAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 14, 1936 FIE-E.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mily!!! rllmiil M .A m7? 2 3 mi pm w 2% Aw Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIiIE MUSICAL INSTRUlVIEN T Francisco, Calif.

Application December 14, 1936, Serial No. 115,656

17 Claims.

This invention relates to musical instruments and specifically to the provision of a device which will vary the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrument of the lute type.

An object of the invention is to providea device on which a stringed instrument is mounted and through the manual operation of which the pitch of selected strings may be varied at the will of the player.

A particular adaptation of this invention is to an instrument like the Hawaiian steel guitar in the playing of which, as is well known, a steel is moved over the strings to attain a desirable tremolo effect. When the subject matter of this invention is used as a supplement to such an instrument, and the pitch of selected strings is varied as desired, the utility of the guitar in modern arrangement and orchestrations is immeasurably increased.

I am aware that the prior art contains examples of devices which seek to vary the pitch of the strings of a musical instrument, such as means which press the strings upwardly or downwardly, or means which force a non-vibrating portion of the string from a straight line, or shorten the vibrating length of the strings, but these devices have been found impracticable for many reasons not the least important of which is the fact that the results obtained thereby were not of such uniformity as is required in good music. My invention is not to be confused with these prior art structures for the distinguishing characteristic'is that I proceed on the theory that for satisfactory results one must stretch and slacken the strings under positive control to insure proper tuning of the instrument at all times, as well as to produce the desired harmonics. It is important to bear in mind that the pitch is changed by varying tension alone and not by varying the vibrating length of the string.

Thus a further object of the present invention is the provision of a device of this general character which will permit the tuning of instrument before commencement of play and which will require no more, if not less attention thereafter than a conventional instrument of this kind.

In general these and other objects to become apparent as this specification progresses are accomplished through the provision of a device in which the selected strings are attached to pivotal levers instead of to the conventional tail-piece of the instrument. The fulcrums of these levers are disposed adjacent the tail end of the instrument and the levers are operated by means of treadles suitably connected thereto.

Since it is desirable to vary the pitch of the selected strings above and below the tuned pitch, the levers and the treadles as well, are movable into three separate and distinct positions, e. g., neutral and above and below neutral.

Control of the movement of the levers is effected through the provision of a unique arrangement of guides, stops and yieldable means at the free ends of the pivotal levers. The stop means are adjustable to define the extent of movement of the levers above and below the neutral position. The yieldable means cause return of the levers to neutral position upon release of pressure applied to the treadles.

Two full sized devices embodying the principles of this invention have been constructed to date and operated by outstanding guitarists with the result that all of them agree that results heretofore thought impossible are produced. The instrument has been found not only highly satisfactory from a standpoint of rendering solos but its value as an instrument capable of supplementing the instruments of an orchestra to produce unheard of tonal effects has been widely acclaimed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as this description proceeds and the novelty thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a structure embodying the novel principles of this invention to which is attached a conventional steel guitar,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view showing the arrangement of the operating levers,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the upper part of the device with a part of the frame removed for sake of clarity,

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the upper part of the device showing the particular means of connecting the operating levers to the selected strings of the instrument,

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the control means for the free ends of the operating levers,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the subject matter of Figure 5 with certain parts omitted for sake of clarity, 50

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the subject matter of Figure 5, with certain parts removed, and showing the adjustable stop meansfor the free ends of the operating levers,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary end elevation of the 55 subject matter of Figure 5, looking in a direction opposite to Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the linkage between two of the operating levers, taken along the lines 9-9 of Figure 2.

In Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown one form of embodiment of the subject matter of the present application. It comprises a frame In of tubular material which is bent to assume the general appearance of a sawhorse having parallel horizontal bars legs l2 and bases l3. At opposite ends of the frame head and tail cross pieces I4 and I5, respectively, are arranged between the bars H to provide support for a con ventional steel guitar l6, the head thereof being secured to the cross piece l4 and the box thereof being secured to the cross piece |5.

A connecting bar 20 between the bases l3, slightly bowed to provide sufiicient clearance from the floor, supports a pair of treadles 2| and 22 which have operative connections with the levers about to be described.

Three operating levers 23, 24 and 25 (see Fig ure 2) are pivotally mounted in the cross piece having suitable pin connections in the bearing members 21, 28 and 29, respectively, dependent therefrom.

It will be noted from Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 that the selected strings of the guitar l6 are connected to the levers 23, 24 and 25 in the following man ner: Upright links 30 are pinned to the lever ends as at 3| and project through a slot 32 in the cross piece l5. The selected strings are drawn over the bridge 34 in the conventional way, past the conventional tail piece 35 to which they would normally be secured, and are fixed through the upper ends of the links 30. Thus the device is provided with a primary string anchorage, consisting of the tail piece 35, and a secondary string anchorage, consisting of the links 3|] and connected mechanisms. Inasmuch as it'will be appreciated that the highest string will require greater stretching to alter its pitch propcrtionately to the others, it is essential that the fulcrum of the connected lever be placed further from the link 30. According to the tuning of the instrument here illustrated, lever 24 is here provided with the offset fulcrum (see Figure 2).

The free ends of the levers 23, 24' and 25 move in the guide slots 40 in cross piece l4, which are faced with felt or any other suitable sound insulating material 4|. Each of the levers is normally urged into the neutral position by the upper and lower spring members 42 and 43 (see Figure 5). These spring members are anchored by screws 44 to the upper and lower projecting plate members 45 and 46, respectively, integral with cross piece M. The ends of the spring members contacting the levers 23, 24 and 25 are curved outwardly and faced with a suitable insulating medium such as the felt 4T. Bosses 50 project outwardly from cross piece |4 between the members 45 and 46 and are of the identical width as the levers 23, 24 and 25. These bosses define the neutral position into which the levers are urged by the spring members 42 and 43 since the tops and bottoms thereof act as stops for the said spring members (see Figure 5). For the purpose of defining the movement of the free end of the levers 23, 24 and 25 above and below neutral position, and to thus maintain the desired tuning of the instrument being used in conjunction with the invention, I have provided thumb screws 5| and 52, the former turning through the top of cross piece l4 and the latter through a shoulder 53 at the bottom of the cross piece M and opposite projection 46. As a means of dampening such vibration as would be transmitted through contact of the lever end with the stop members, the tips of the thumb screws 5| and 52 are provided with suitable insulating ma terial such as a felt 54.

Since it will be appreciated that the provision of more than two treadles would render a mechanism of this character unduly complex and extremely difiicult to operate under the quickly changing conditions of music of almost any sort, I have seen fit. to provide a novel arrangement whereby the three levers 23, 24 and 25 may be operated by the two pedals 2| and 22.

Lever 24 is operated by treadle 2| and the connection therebetween comprises a rod 50, the upper end of which is operatively connected to lever 24 by means of a conventional ball and socket designated by the numeral 6|, the socket member being riveted to said lever 24, as at 62, and secondly a ball and socket connection 64 between the lower end of the connecting rod and treadle 2|, the socket member here being found in a projection 65 from the heel end of treadle 2|.

On the other hand levers 23 and 25 are connected by the linkage illustrated in Figure 9 for the joint operation thereof by the treadle 22. It will be seen that this linkage comprises generally a U-shaped member 56, having a base 12 and legs 13 pivotally connected thereto, as at 14-. The upper ends of the legs "F3 are riveted to the said levers 23 and 25 as indicated, at El. Connection for the rod 58 is provided in a socket 69, slidably adjustable in slot 15 in base member 12, which socket receives the ball H on rod 68. The lower end of rod 68 is connected to treadle 22 in the same manner as in the case of treadle 2!, that is by a ball and socket 64, the socket being in a projection 65 from the treadle 22.

Through the above means difierences in movement of levers 23 and 25 to eiTect desired tensioning of the strings can be compensated for, the adjustment being simply altering the position of socket 69 in slot Hi.

Treadles 2| and 22 are secured to bar 20 in one of the conventional ways, as for example, clamps on the bottom of the treadles serving as a bearing (not shown).

The guitar l6, illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings herein, is of a well known type and forms no part of the present invention. This particular instrument is generally referred to as an electric steel guitar. Being played in the conventional way, the sound vibrations are transmitted to a loud-speaker for amplification by a magnetic field established adjacent the tail-piece of the guitar. While this particular instrument is shown and described, it is to be understood that my invention is adapted for use with any guitar and, in fact, any instrument of the lute type.

Operation A guitar I6 is secured to the pitch varying apparatus by any conventional means. The example here given (Figure 1) is by screw or bolt 75 through the headpiece 16 and into cross piece l4, and the hooks 17, extending through cross piece IE to engage the box 78.

The selected strings (here shown as the first, second and fourth, reading from right to left, in Figure 4) are then attached to the tuning pegs in the head 16, drawn over the bridge 34 and fixed through the links 30 on levers 23, 24 and 25. The instrument is then tuned.

In this operation 76 it will be understood that springs 42 and 43 are retaining levers 23, 24 and 25 in neutral position. Also in this tuning operation thumb screws and 52 are manipulated to precisely define the limits of movement of the free ends of the levers 23, M and 25. By operation of the treadles and the striking of the strings the trained ear of the musician will quickly determine the required adjustment.

In practice, as heretofore pointed out, the operating levers 23, 22 i and 25 are movable into three distinct positions, namely neutral and above and below neutral. It is my theory that the most desirable results are attained when the moving or selected strings are tensioned in equal tempered half-steps to vary the pitch a semi-tone. In practice the adjustment of the movement of the free ends of levers 23, 24 and 25 is such that the selected strings may be stretched a half-step or semi-tone above tuned pitch (neutral position) and contracted a half-step or semi-tone below the tuned pitch.

Thus the player moves the treadles into three different positions: neutral, toe and heel. The movement of the treadles into the toe position raises the pitch of the connected string which movement into the heel position lowers it.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention accomplishes definite and very desirable results. A distinct benefit is that these new result are attained while leaving the hands of the musician entirely free to manipulate the steel and pluck the strings.

Changes in consecutive semi-tones have been chosen because in my opinion they give the greatest practical range of useful tunings for a minimum expenditure of physical and mental effort on the part of the performer. Then too the strings such as are currently manufactured will not stand stretching much farther than a semitone from their normal tensioning. They either break or stretch too much upon being raised, or if lowered much farther they do not reliably return to their normal pitch upon further tensioning.

Since the principles of this invention may be embodied in any number of forms and modified in a number of ways to meet the requirements of modern manufacture, I have shown only one form by way of illustration, and it is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to that form alone, but, on the contrary, desire protection to the full extent of the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by grant of Letters Patent is:

1. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon, levers pivotally connected to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadles, and means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away from neutral position.

2. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute, type mounted thereon, levers pivotally connected to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadles, and adjustable means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away from neutral position.

3. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon, levers pivotally connected to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadles, and means causing return of said levers to neutral position upon release of said treadles.

l. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon, levers pivotally connected to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadles, and yieldable means causing return of said levers to neutral position upon release of said treadles.

5. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon, levers pivotally connected to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from a neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadles, guides for the free ends of said levers, means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away fro-m neutral position, and means causing return of said levers to neutral position upon release of said treadles.

6. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon. levers pivotally connected to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from a neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadles, guides for the free ends of said levers, adjustable stop means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away from neutral posi tion, and yieldable means causing return of said levers to neutral position upon. release of said treadles.

'7. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon, levers pivotally connected tosaid frame, the fulcrums thereof being adjacent the tailpiece of said instrument, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from a. neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadles, guides for the free ends of said levers, adjustable means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away from neutral position, and yieldable means causing return of said levers to neutral position upon release of said treadles.

8. In a device for varying the pitch of selected strings of a musical instrument, a support for the instrument, levers pivotally mounted in support, connecting means for said levers and said selected strings, treadle means operatively connected to said levers, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from a neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treadle means, guides for the free ends of said levers, adjustable stop means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away from neutral position, and yieldable means normally urging said lever ends into neutral position.

9. A musical device comprising, a head and tail cross pieces in the frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type secured to said cross pieces, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted in said tail cross piece, guides in said head cross piece for the free ends of said levers, connecting links for selected strings of said instrument and said levers, treadles operatively connected to said levers, yieldable m ns acting upon the free ends of said levers to define a neutral position therefor in said guides, levers being adapted to move in either direction. frol the neutral position upon operation of said treadles against the urge of said yieldable means, and adjustable stop means in said head cross piece limiting movement of the free ends of said levers out of neutral position.

10. In a device for varying the pitch of a plurality of selected strings of a musical instrument above and below the tuned pitch, the combination of pivotally mounted levers operatively connected to the selected strings and movable into three positions, yieldabl-e means normally urging said levors into neutral position at which the tuned pitch of said strings is maintained, treadle means operatively connected to said levers which upon operation will cause said levers to be correspondingly moved with respect to said neutral position and against the urge of said yieldable means.

11. In a device for varying the pitch of a plurality of selected strings of a musical instrument above and below the tuned pitch, the combination of pivotally mounted levers operatively connected to the selected strings and movable into three positions, yielclable means normally urging said levers into neutral position at which the tuned pitch of said strings is maintained, treadle means operatively connected to said levers which upon operation will cause levers to be correspondingly moved with respect to said neutral position and against the urge of said yieldable means, at least one of said treadle means being connected to a selected pair of said levers.

A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon, levers p-ivotally connected adjacent one of their ends to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers at the ends adjacent to which they are connected to said frame, two-way treadles operatively connected to said levers intermediate their ends, the free ends of levers being adapted to move in either direction from neutral position upon corresponding o1 .ration of said treadles, and means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away from neutral position.

13. A musical device comprising, a frame, a stringed instrument of the lute type mounted thereon, levers pivotally connected adjacent one of their ends to said frame, selected strings of said instrument connected to said levers at the ends adjacent to which they are connected to said frame, two-Way treadles operatively connected to said levers intermediate their ends, the free ends of said levers being adapted to move in either direction from neutral position upon corresponding operation of said treaclles, adjustable means limiting movement of the free ends of said levers away from neutral position, and yieldable means normally urging said levers and the respective treadles into neutral position.

14. A musical device comprising, the combination of a stringed instrument having a tail piece for anchorage of selected strings, of secondary anchorage means for other selected strings of said instrument, said secondary anchorage means being pivotally mounted and susceptible to movement away from neutral position at which the tuned pitch of the connected strings is maintained.

15. A musical instrument comprising, the combination of a stringed instrument having a tail piece for anchorage of selected strings, of secondary anchorage means for other selected strings of said instrument, said secondary anchorage means bein pivotally mounted and susceptible to movement away from neutral position at which the tuned pitch of the connected strings is maintained, manually operable means connected to said secondary anchorage to cause movement thereof.

16. A musical device comprising, the combination of a stringed instrument having a tail piece for anchorage of selected strings, of secondary anchorage means for other selected strings of said instrument, said secondary anchorage means being pivotally mounted and susceptible to movement away from neutral position at which the tuned pitch of the connected strings is maintained, manually operable means connected to said secondary anchorage to cause movement thereof, and yieldable means normally urging said secondary anchorage means into neutral position.

1'7. A. musical device comprising, the combination of a stringed instrument having a tail piece for anchorage of selected strings, of secondary anchorage means for other selected strings of said instrument, said secondary anchorage means being pivotally mounted and susceptible to movement away from neutral position at which the tuned pitch of the connected strings is maintained, manually operable means connected to said secondary anchorage to cause movement thereof, yieldable means normally urging said secondary anchorage means into neutral position, and adjustable means determining movement of said secondary anchorage means away from neutral position.

ANTONY P. FREEMAN- 

